2013 2014
EXHIBITS CATALOG TODAY’S DREAMERS ARE
TOMORROW’S DOERS
SO DREAM HERE
We are curious...we love to learn about the
world , the p world, people p in it and how things g work. work
We are creative...we paint, sew, draw, build,
silkscreen, solder, and express ourselves
through what we make. We are risk takers…
we test things, try stuff, and toil to turn our
ideas into realities. We are social…we learn
from each other and share what we learn
with those we love. We are dreamers…
we trust our intuition and collaborate with
others to create the world we’ve imagined.
We are forever young…no matter how old
we are, we give ourselves permission to play!
We are curious.
Bubbles and LightŠ
all ages | 2011
Create bubbles in glowing pools of colorful, soapy water using wands filled with air. The bubble dishes are lit from below with changing LED lights that regularly change color, showcasing the beautiful, glowing bubble sculptures.
No two structures will ever be the same in Build-It. The regular system paired with an unusual variety of building materials allow for endless creativity. All pieces are drilled with a standard-size hole pattern, making all of the pieces interchangeable.
ages 3 and up | 2012
Build-It©
Use the colorful bungee cord spokes to connect a rim to a hub. Experiment with patterns and the number of spokes to build the perfect wheel. Once built, visitors can send their wheel down the ramp and see how it works.
ages 3 and up | 2012
Wheel Building©
Build fantastic vehicles with roller blade wheels and blocks embedded with magnets and then test the car in the park. Visitors use problem solving skills, learn how to make magnets connect and figure out what parts are needed to make the car move.
ages 3 and up | 2011
Build-A-Car Park©
Explore aerodynamic designs and the power of drag as you test objects in the vertical wind tunnel. Using paper coffee filters, pipe cleaners and other materials to create a unique form, visitors place their designs in the tube to see how it behaves.
ages 3 and up | 2011
Wind Tunnel©
Propel paper rockets upward with a blast of air from a rocket launcher built with a plunger. Visitors customize their own rocket from our template that can be cut by hand or by using a die cutter and our custom die.
ages 3 and up | 2011
Rocket Launcher©
Step into a custom-made, circular room to feel the force of moving air in a whirlwind motion. Visitors see what happens when objects are tossed into a stream of fast moving air, providing opportunities to experiment with materials and play.
ages 1 and up | 2011
Whirlwind Room©
ages 1 and up | 2004
Train Tables©
Experience the process of assembly, as well as other activities including testing, sorting and disassembly at the Trolley Assembly Table and Parts Bins Storage/Test Track. The wooden trolley, a replica of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood trolley, is custom made to withstand frequent handling.
ages 3 and up | 2007
Trolley Assembly©
Examine a drop of water magnified on a monitor to see the surface tension and optic properties of water. Visitors turn a knob to change the flowing stream of water as it fills a glass basin below.
ages 3 and up | 2013
Water Splash©
Place objects or your hands under the plastic sheet to experience the force of a vacuum. After visitors push one of the buttons, the plastic sheet forms to the shape of what’s underneath due to the force of suction.
ages 3 and up | 2007
Vacuum Forces©
Sculpt piles of shaved ice into various forms or just play with the melting slush with tools on a work surface illuminated with colorful LED lights. This sensory activity allows visitors to explore water as a solid, observing state change as it melts.
all ages | 2013
Slush Table©
Build confidence and imagination through pretend play at the Train Tables. The curvy tables foster fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and opportunities for social interaction. These tables have built in storage shelves for easy clean-up.
Car Track© ages 1 and up | 2004
Send cars down a ramped road on a custom raceway configured using custom, interchangeable track pieces. Visitors can watch their cars go up and down hills, bend with the road, and race straight ahead. The ramps can be customized to fit a variety of spaces.
We are creative.
Light Peg WallŠ
all ages | 2004
Insert a clear rod into the light box to create a magical glowing effect. Visitors create patterns and explore shapes and colors. A light table provides another surface for play as well as storage for the pegs. This component provides children with the opportunity to use fine motor skills, to make choices and to sort items.
Sculpt and comb colored sand with hand tools on top of colorful light tables. The low to the ground table is a great height for smaller visitors who can easily reach and manipulate the sand. It also provides opportunities to explore color mixing and play with light. The tables can be customized to fit a variety of spaces.
all ages | 2011
Sand Light Table and Bar©
Use this unique set-up of light boxes to draw a partner’s silhouette or have your’s drawn. Once drawn, silhouettes can be displayed and compared – allowing participants to note the similarities and differences in each other. This custom design makes the process accessible to all ages and abilities.
all ages | 2014
Silhouettes©
all ages | 2004
dream Table Top© ages 3 and up | 2014
Learn abstract computer science principles by combining physical puzzle blocks with virtual environments. Using an interactive tabletop, visitors explore rich environments with different characters, change characters’ properties, and even make copies of characters with the included Variable Tray.
Reflection Table© Manipulate colorful granulated material across an internally lit sculpted landscape - covering and uncovering the surface of the table. As certain areas are uncovered, soothing music is played. Once covered, the music fades away and other areas and sounds are discovered in the table.
Visitors take a seat around the round clay table and get their hands messy with clay. By experimenting with different tools, visitors manipulate the clay into different shapes and designs. The round design allows for both independent and collaborative participation.
ages 1 and up | 2011
Clay Table©
Experience the silk-screen process from beginning to end. The component includes a comprehensive manual with enriching lesson plans and resources. The experience includes a customized counter equipped with printing beds and blank screens.
ages 3 and up | 2004
Silkscreen Counter©
Wax Cutting Table©
This is a custom-built, movable storage unit filled with basic tools to create a maker space. The cabinet includes extra deep doors and drawers, peg board and adjustable shelves. The included materials were selected based on the fully prototyped projects.
all ages | 2004
Mobile Storage Cabinet©
This is a custom built, mobile work station that includes a die cutter, paper dispenser and material storage. Several custom dies, designed and prototyped by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, are also available.
ages 3 and up | 2011
Die Cutter Station©
Wax is a very easy material to cut. Different sculpting tools are placed around the wax so visitors can experience carving by hand. After the wax is cut, the shavings are collected, melted and reformed into wax blocks for reuse.
ages 3 and up | 2011
Paper Making© all ages | 2004
Create your own colored paper using pulp made from recycled newspapers. The process is 100% sustainable and gives the finished piece a unique texture, perfect for writing notes, drawing pictures or adding to art projects. The custom-built table can be designed to fit a variety of spaces and programmatic needs.
We are risk takers.
Silly FacesŠ
all ages | 2010
Silly Faces is an interactive video installation in which viewers create their own five-second movie at a mini-arcade. The video uploads immediately to an immersive projection, an animated mosaic of faces. Physical motion, humor and intimate moments with the video are created in this interaction.
all ages | 2004
Gravity Room©
ages 3 and up | 2014
Balance See-Saw©
The room and most of the items in it are tilted at a 25° angle to the floor, creating an amazing optical illusion. The experience will teach visitors that they can’t always rely upon their senses to discern what is real and what is merely an illusion.
This unique interpretation of a classic playground experience asks children to move a ball encased in a long, clear tube while playing on the see-saw. This added challenge encourages children to communicate and cooperate to have the ball balance at the center.
Limber Bender©
all ages | 2004
This a one-and-a- half story enclosed climbing structure that allows children to safely reach heights they never thought possible. The long, wide maze of platforms makes it easy to navigate through this unique climber. Parents can watch from below as their children crawl high above their heads in this life-size ant farm.
Look Out©
all ages | 2007
This outdoor structure provides the perfect atmosphere for imaginative play. Children can climb the stairs to their very own fortress and use the periscope to look out on the surrounding landscape. The lighting on the Lookout is powered by solar panels.
We are dreamers.
More Light©
all ages | 2009
Artist Dick Esterle created the bright, pink and red “more light” piece using pink and orange flagging tape and a simple mathematical pattern. The lyrical strips hang from a series of chains made entirely of paperclips. This installation is a representation of the Children’s Museum Pittsburgh’s approach to creating engaging spaces for children and families.
Museum Exhibition and Administration Consulting Services As an extension of our mission to provide innovative experiences that inspire joy, creativity and curiosity, the Children’s Museum Pittsburgh (Museum) offers Exhibition Planning and Design, Educational Program Development and General Museum Administration Consulting Services.
The Museum offers a wide array of services for institutions or organizations interested in developing hands on innovative exhibits and programs. Options include exhibition development and design services, museum administration, planning and management strategies. Selected exhibit components developed and designed by the Museum are also available for purchase.
MAKESHOPTM Professional Services
Children’s Museum Pittsburgh offers consulting services in all areas of planning for, developing and operating a museum-based makerspace. Areas of expertise include:
Design & Development: Explore the design and development of exhibits, programs and learning experiences.
Learning & Research: Hear about the research and evaluation efforts as well as informal learning opportunities and outcomes afforded by making in museums.
Management & Facilitation: Discover ways to recruit, train and grow a collaborative and creative staff.
MAKESHOP™ Professional Development: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will provide in-depth professional development for museum staff and volunteers. Professional development opportunities range from single-session trainings, to hands-on workshops, to multi-day trainings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT EXHIBITS@PITTSBURGHKIDS.ORG
hi pittsburghkids.org